Parliament Suspends Sitting

The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho was compelled to suspend sitting yesterday for more than one hour after the PA electronic system and microphones ceased to work.

Before sitting, only half of the electronic system which controls the microphones for members was working and forcing Members of Parliament to sit at where the system was working.

After the speaker had read a communication from the presidency that President John Mahama had travelled to Nigeria to witness the swearing-in of the new Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, followed by a tribute read in honour of the late Theodosia Okoh who designed the nation’s flag by the second deputy speaker of parliament, Joe Ghartey, the whole electronic system went off forcing the speaker to suspend sitting to allow the technicians to work on it.

When sitting eventually resumed, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Fritz Baffour and New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Anyaa/Sowutuom, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey paid glowing tribute to the 92-year-old heroine who designed the nation’s flag.

The two argued strongly for her name to be immortalised for giving immortal identity to Ghanaians.

The NPP MP for Anyaa/Sowutuom said it was unfortunate the one who helped to define the Ghanaian identity was once left in destitution by the nation.

She said such treatment by the nation to those who have sacrificed for the good cause of the nation will definitely affect patriotism in the country.

She therefore called on the government and subsequent governments to always recognise people who have sacrificed for the cause of the nation.

The deputy minister of Power, John Jinapor was in the ‘House’ to respond to questions by some MPs seeking to know when electricity will be extended to some communities in their respective constituencies.